Paper-wetting machine



Dec. 27, 1927..

P. AlTCHlSoN y PAPER WETTING MACHINE' Filed April 1a. 1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 4 Afro/Mfr .P

Dec. 27, 1927. 1,653,610

P. AlTcHlsoN PAPER' wrm'me MACHINE Filed April 18. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 4? 4d .I ivm/Tof? MM W ' through a bath sented the diiiiculty Patented Det.l 27, 1927.

UNITED STAT-Es OF- NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BANK Y., A vCORPORATION F NEW YORK.

PETER AI'rcHrsoN;

NOTE coMPANY, or NEW YORK, N.

PATENT oFFicE.

PAPEE-WETTING MACHINE.

Application led April 18,

My invention relates lto a paper wetting machine, land more particularly to a machine of this type inwhich the paper or sheet will be rapidly and thoroughly dampened so as to be properly conditioned for use in the making ofv impressions thereon, bya printing-machine.

Heretofore,various types of wetting inachines have been used for conditioning paper, a highly developed type of this machine including therein endless strips of absorbent fabric or blankets, adapted to receive between them sh'eets of paper, the blankets being subject to the action of presser rolls while the paper was between parallel reaches of co-operating blankets. The blankets in-some instances were passed of the' dampening liquid with the paper, while in other instances, accordin to the quality of the paper used, the 'bla ets themselves, after'being prop- 'erly saturated with such liquid, had the paper fed betweenthem and were merely passed between the presser rollers.

In such machines, not onlyk is there pre--e of keeping the co-operating blankets straight, butl the machine is required `to be of considerable length in order .to secure an effective wetting or dampening of the paper, pressure being applied through the blankets to the paper only for a short interval, or intervals during'the movement ofthe blankets.

' all parts /of both blankets,

Such machines have been found to give highly satisfactory service in uniformly dampening each sheet of paper, but at times, and--withdiiferent grades Aot paper, there has been a, tendency of such machines to have irre ular dampening or'wetting action upon di erent sheets, and there has also been some difficulty experienced in maintaining a'uniform degree of saturation in ed in large measure, to variances .in the conditionl of-different sheets. This 1s particularly true when the machine'is runat e hig speeds.

` cent i results not only in a T e blankets used in such machines are alsoo a considerable length, and the pressure conditions between the parallel adjareachesf of co-operating blankets through lstretch of one' blanketlor the other, lack of uniformity yin the pressure exerted upon the sheets of pawhich contribut vin a pile or stack.

1924. Scrial'No. 707,433.

per by the blankets, but a lack of such taut-,I ness in the blankets as is required to secure' an/eliective pressure upon the sheets at all times while they are contained between the tween these two blankets, to cause the dampening liquid to be quickly forced within the fibres of the paper. 'While' the paper is positioned between the two absorbent bodies, they have movement together through a bath of liquid', the width of these bodies, however, being such that the -dampening medium applied .to the paper will be merely that resulting. from the expression of the liquidfrom said absorbent bodies, as a result of the pressure developed by the endless blanket, due to Ithe presence of a rigid backing for the other blanket, and the guiding arrangement for the endless blanket. -This will ensure the maintenance of a maximumamount of moisture in the absorbent bodies without likelihood of injury to, the surface dressing or-sizing of the paper.

Th" machine of my invention is so constructed that the rigid member carrying and forming a backing for one of said blankets, will positively grip each sheet of paper ldeliver d theretofso as to ensure its proper position with relation to both blankets. The

machine includesftherein a collecting mechanism receiving the dampened sheets from said rotatable member, and collecting them to remain piled'or stacked until used, the stacking of such lsheets havin the effect of aging the sheets so as to hav themv propone of which is a blanket car-` The sheets are permitted l erly conditioned, although the methods of dampening Vor wetting by. this machine are such thatthe sheets, if desired, may be moveddirectly from the wetting machine to the printing press, and still secure a good cleanimpression without further aging.

In a macliiiieembodying my( inventionv one. of thc co-operating absorbent blankets lis carried by a rigid cylinder forming a backin therefor, while the other absorbent body is in the form of an endless blanket, the major portion of which is always submerged in liquid in a tank, so that said absorbent blanket lwill always contain substantially the maximum volume of liquid in all paits thereof. All liquid expressed from any part of either blanket is replaced by liquid absorbed by that portion of the blanket after a/sheet upon which it acts has passed from lengaging relation therewith, andgbefore another sheet is fed in relation to that portion ofthe blanket.

Preferably after a sheet haslpassed'from between the two moving absorbent bodies, but is still engaged with one of these bodies,

it is subjected to the action of a squeeze roller which will serve, to effectively force'super ticial liquid within the Iibres of. the paper,

or remove it from 'the paper lwhile, at the same time, forcinfr each sheet'of paper {irmly against the banket between it andthe rigid backing therefor.

While the form of collecting mechanism used is immaterial to my invent'on, better results are to Vbe had'if it be so constructed as to carry the sheets for a short distance after leaving the liquid applying mechanism, so as to give each sheet' an'opportunity to completely absorb the liquid applied thereto, before uthe sheets are piled ori'stacked and avoid the presence of-free surface liquid which might result in one sheet absorbingv the moisture from another sheet, re sulting in irregularity of the wetting action as to different portions of different sheets. It is desirable, in wetting paper, tonot only have all sheets wet or dampened in substantially the same degree, but to have different portions of'the sheet uniformly conditioned.

Thewinvention consists primarily` in a paper wetting machine embodying therein a tank for the wett-ing liquid, a cylinder rotatably mounted within said tank, a yieldable blanket carriedby isaid cylinder, an@

.endless absorbent blanket adapted'to co-opcrate with the'blanket upon-said cylinder during a portion of each revolution of said cylinder, and guides for the operative reach fof said endless blanketin pressure relation l to said cylinder and for ,the `inoperative reach ofl said endless blanket positioned below the level ofthe wetting liquid within said tank and away from sa1d cylinder `whereby the "operative reach'thereofu is pressed tightly against the blanket upon said.

cylinder, and the inoperative' reach thereof is passed through the 4liquid in said tank, so that a sheet delivered between said blankets. will befsubjected to continuing pressure for a part fof a revolution4 of said cylinder, and the' moisture expressed from A a blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one of them upon the other, will be restored before the same portion of the blanket is brought into engaging relation with another sheet; and in suclrother novel features of .construction` and combination of parts, v*

ywetting machine vembodying my invention,

the 'showing of the feeding mechanismv and the collecting mechanism being largely'conv entional;

ig.f 2 is an enlarged view showing'therelation of the blanket cylinder, the endless blanket and its guides', the gripper mecha- `nisms upon said cylinder, and the squeeze lroiler, the feeding and the'collecting mechanisms being omitted; and

j' Fig. 3 is a plan view of`Fig.`2.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the Aembodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, I employ a tank l0 which may be made of any suitable materialsuch as wood, so lined as to hold liquid. Rotatably mounted within `this tank is a cylinder 11 having about its perimeter a suitable yieldable blanket, preferably including two.

absorbent blankets 12 and 13, one superimposed upon the other, s o as to give the desired thickness` to the' absorbent facing for said cylinder.

The blankets 12/and 13 are ordinary felt ill) blankets commonly used in the printing art,l

although no particular material is required for such blankets so long as it is of a nature .to be suiiiciently'flexible andthick to permit the transfer of moisture'therefrom, during vthe wetting or dampening operation, toQ sheets of paper.

.Associated with the cylinder 11 is a 'feed shelf 1.4 and a feeding mechanism .15 adapt- .ed to receive sheets from said shelf and transfer .them to the cylinder 11. 'ihis feedin mechanism may. be lofany 'desired type,'t e speed of operationl of. the machlne' being such as to readily adapt 1t for use with automatic feeders. Y

IThe cylinder' 11 has mounted thereon one or more gripper mechanismvl, three such 4 mechanisms being used inthe form of. the. inventionl shown, slnce the circumference of lsaid'cylind'er'll is suiiciently great to permit three sheets to be'simultaneously acted upon by said cylinder while the machine-1s in operation.v

The surface 'of the cylinder lliis recessed 'to receive the gripper mechanisms 16, thus interrupting the continuity ofthe facing formed by the blankets 12 and 13, continuity of this 'surface not being required since the arc between the gripper mechanisms is suf-v ficiently great to accommodatelthe largest Ui l said blanket 17 ward the cylinder heet which is to be dampened vupon the machine.

The cylinder 11 affords a rigid backing for the blankets 12 and 13 in order to permit the effective expression of moisture either fromssaid blankets 12 and 13, themselves, or from a blanket 17 co-operating therewith, and the forcing of this moisture within the libres of'the paper as a result'of the application of pressure thereto from said endless blanket 17 co-operating with the cylinder 11 and having a speed of lineal traverse Substanti'ally .coineiding with the angular speed of the cylinder 11.

The blanket 17 passes about suitable guides 18, 19, 20 and 21 so positioned as to tension l in a manner to develop a continuing pressure of onereacli thereof to- 11 and upon the blankets 12 and 13 carried by said cylinder, and the aperv sheet between the outer of said blankets 12 and the lendless blanket 1.7. guides 18, 19, 20 and' 21 are, in tbe -form of the invention shown, ordinary rollers positioned within or above the tank 10 in order to facilitate the` free move-ment of the blanket 17 The rollers 18 and 19 define the point of operative engagement of t e blanket 17 with, and thev point of disengagementof bythe paper and "17, also serves as a said blanket from the blanket- 12, these points respectively being adjacent the feeding mechanism 15, and adjacent a collecting mechanisin22 torbe more fully referred atollereinaft'er. The rollers 20 and 21 are mere guide rollers for directing the inoperative reach of said blanket 17 through the liquid in the tank 10, in a position .where 'the blanket 17 will be properly exposed to said liquid, so that it will, by absorption, take up enough liquid to replace tliatabsorbed expressed` from the blanket during the interval of pressure engaging relation of said blanket with'the paper an the rollers 20 and 21 will assist in developing the desired tautness in the blanket 17 to ensure the requisite application of pressure by said blanket' throughout that portion of thea length thereof which is in engaging relation with the blankets upon the cylinder 11.

"Ilie roller 18 in addition to serving as a. guiding and-tensioning roller for the blanket driving roller for this blanket. Said roller is mounted in adjustable bearing blocks 22 carried between adjusting yscrews 23 and 24 to permit movement of this roller for the purpose of developing the desired ta'utness in the'blaiket The cylinder 11 is driven by means of a lar e gear 25 carried'by an arbor upon said cylinder, said large gear 25 meshing with a small gear 26 driven from any desired source of power as the motor 27. Thetensioning, guiding and driving roller 18 is driven` from paper sheet `sprocket wheels 38.

. The driving mechanisms of the machine' the gear 25 by the gear train 28, 29 and 30, the first of which gears also supplies power for actuating the feeding mechanism 1.5 through tliegears 31 and 32.

The various rollers 18, 19, 20 and 21 may be made of any desired material, wood preferably being used for these rollers as well as for the cylinder ."11 in order tov avoid likelihood of mechanism, or the-,blankets as the result of Ithe action of the wetting liquid thereupon.

' Associated with the cylinder 11 is a squeeze roller 33 driven from the gear 25 by thegear train 34, 35 and 36. The roller 33 is in a position to engage the outer blanket 12 upon the cylinder 11 after the blanket 7 has passed from its engaging relation wi h said `blanket to about the roller 19, and apply pressure to each sheet of paper after it has been relieved from the surface tween the 'blankets 12 and 17. Thispressure, although limited by substantially lineal contact between two cylindrical bodies, serves to either force surface liquid carried by the Within the fibres of the paper, or

remove this liquid from the paper in the event that the -p aper has become fully saturated with tlie liquid.

The point of separation of the blankets 12 and 17, adjacent the guide roller 19, is above '-1 the normal level of the liquid in the tank 10, so that the paperitself is not subjected pressure. be-

discoloration of the wetting directly to the action of the liquid within the tank.

The roller l33 is preferably made of non- `absorbent -yet yieldable material, its purliquid to the paper v pose being not to apply sheet, but to assist in the quick distribution of the liquid throughout the sheet, and give a final pressure ,upon a sheet while -it is engaged solely with the blanket 12.

Beyond the squeeze The sprocket wheels 38 are drivenfrom the gear 34 by an intermediate gear 44 meshing with a gear 45 carried by the shaft of said are such that the peripheral speed of the blanket 12 will be the the, blanket 17, and the same as eral speed of the squeeze roller 33, in the direcd ytion of the rotation of the cylinder 11, is a the blankets 12 and 13.A At the same timev l same as the speed of.

the periphrollery 33. At the Hill '. Sametime the rate of lineal `travel of the chains 37 corresponds with the peripheral speed of the cylinder 11.

. defining the pressure The particular form of ripper mechanism used in connection with t e cylinder 11 and the chains 37 is immaterial to the invention,- grippers of various types being old and well known in the printing art. description of these mechanisms, as well as of the opening and closing' means therefor, is unnecessary. The details of the feeding mechanism and the collecting mechanism, are also immaterial to the present invention, except that the -spaced relation of the pairs of sprocket wheels 38 and'39 is preferably such as topermit 'the exposure of the sheet to the surrounding atmosplierefor a sufficient interval to permit a more or lessuniform diffusion of the wetting'liquid throughout the entire sheet, an action known in this art as aging, and which results in the elimina-` tion of stiffness or hardness in every portion of the paper.

The miler 33' is mounted in ad'ustabie' bearing blocks 16 .acted upon by a justing screws 17 and 48 so as to permit the regulation of the pressure appliedv by said. roller upon a sheet of paper carried by the cylinder 11.

In lthe drawings, I have indicated the sheets of paper at 49, it .being understood thatthe machine is designed for wetting or dampening paper sheets, and not a continu-` of paper.-

vous strip orweb l mounted'in a bearing block The roller 19. is

` acted upon by a lead screw 51, bywhich said bearing-'block 50 may be raised to take up slack in the blanket 17 due to elongation of said blanket from stretch, oras a result of the adjustment ofthe roller 18 for 'developing the desired pressure of said roller uponthe blanket 17, whereit passes into engagino relation with the blanket 12. Hence both of the rollers 18 and 19 may be adjusted in exerted by the roller 18 as w'ell as the pressure of the blanket 17 upon 'theblanket `12 as tween said rollers. A The operation lofthe herein'described machine is substantially as follows The sheets of pa erv 49 are7 placed upon the feed shelf 14 and ed one sheet at a time by to the reach thereof bethe feeding mechanism 15. Aseach set of grippers 1-6 reaches the properrelation to the grippers'vf the feeding. mechanism, la sheet of 'paper will be delivered thereto, so to be carried downwardly by the cylinder In the meanwhile, the blankets 12 and 13' have been thoroughly saturated as a result of their immersion in the liquid tank 10, as will also the blanket 17. The continued .rof tation of the cylinder 11'wil'l bring the sheet of paper between the blanket 12' rearwardly of the grippers engaging said sheet, and the -operative reach of Hence a detailed 'engagement between paper.

length of time the. blanket 17, so that ultimately the entire rsurface of said sheet of 3 paper 42 will be simultaneously subjected to 18, thus tending to not only force mois-v ture into the paper at the point of its initial l y said blankets, but'since a dry sheet will not readily absorbmoisture, creating a surplus of free liquid between the sheet and the blanket 17,in excess of the normal supply of surfaceliquidupon the blanket, This will be spread by the blanket 17 throughout the'. entire surface of the In'this manner a rapid initial wetthe surface of the paper is secured, the continued pressure upon the ting of so that paper,`while it is between the blankets 12 and 17 will-.result in the body of the paper, from. either or both of Th blankets 12 and 17, the surface finish ofthe paper will not be disturbed in any way.

a rapid absorption by of moisture expressed these blankets.

f ere being no relative movement of the 'lull While the R. P. M. of the cylinder 11 may be varied to accommodate the machine to different grades of paper, the period during which the paper will be thus subjected to pressure between the blankets 17 and 12'will never exceed more than two onds, this interval having `been found suiicient to properly wet the higher grades of paper, bond papers. requiring a greater than the softer-linen papers. The time interval might be further reduced with. still lower grades of paper.

As the blanket 17 passes from its pressure engaging relation withthe blanket 12, the

sheet of paper will continue uponjthe cylinder 11, and will pass the squeezeroller 33 having rotary movement in the same direction, with relation to the engaging point of same speed' as the blanket 12. By reason of the cylindrical, non-absorbent surface of the roller 33, there will be only lineal contact or substantially lineal contact between this rollerand the sheet of paper, the pressure merely sufficient to force the paper 4against its backing blanket 12, so as to secure a more effective wetting of the side ofthe paper presented toward said blanket; At the same\time, the roller 33 will tend to distribute any surfacexmoisture upon thellO -said roller and said cylinder, and at the i v sheet of paper and remove anysuchimoisture in the event of there being surface moisturel in excess of that required to thoroughly wwet or dampen the sheet.

The squeeze roller 33 engages the paper 49 upon the cylinder 11 above the normal levelu of the liquid in the tank 10 and is so'located that any liquid 'removed' from the paper sheet, will flow back to within the tank 10. After leaving the squeeze roller, each grip-' per mechanism 16 will be actuated as it reaches the engaging relation with the grippers 40 upon the chains 37, thus permitting the transfer of the sheet from the cylinder 11 to the collecting mechanism by which it will be conveyed, while exposed to the 4atmosphere for ah interval of a few seconds, to, and be deposited upn the stack upon,

I the collectingtable 41. This exposure of 'i be subjectedY to sub the sheet is for an interval insufficient to permit any noticeable evaporationof the Wetting medium, while permitting the paper to readily take upany surface moisture which may remain thereon, or permit each'sheet to thoroughly absorb the moisture which 'has been applied thereon, s o 'as to take all stiffness or hardness out of the paper, and give a uniform limp quality thereto,4

Before the squeeze roller 3 can engage the sheet of paper, the blanket 17 must move from engagement'with the paper and the cylinder 11, saidiblanket passing from said engagement, about theguide rollers 19, 20

and 21. Hence the blanket upon its return movement will have its inoperative reach pass through the liquid in the tank 10, any liquid expressed therefrom. during (its operative engagement with the'cylinder 11 being thus restored thereto by absorption of the liquid in the tank. blanket 17 results in part from its pressured engagement with the cylinder 11, and in part from the positive rotation of the guide'roller There being three' sets of grippers upon the cylinder'- 11: inthe form ofthe invention shown in the drawings, three vsheets will be fed to the cylinder 11 during each rotation thereof, and since the R. P. M.- of this cylinder will .range from. eleven to fifteen or more per minute with the bettergrades of paper, it isapparent that the capacity ofthe machine is high, running from -thirty to forty-five sheets per minute, or from approximately two thousand to twenty-sevenhun.-

dred per hour. v

"It is apparent that each sheet of paper will.`

lstantially identical conditions while passing `-through the machine, so that there will be little variation in the condition o-f different sheets during a long run of the machine. 'The gradual lowering of the level of the liquid in the tank will have n/oa preciable modifying effect in the actionI of t e machine, since irrespective of this The movement of the `the quantity of liqui --Ordina-rily, however,

-timeI interval be' but four sheet.

level, the return or inoperative reach ofthe blanket 17 will 'be practically continuouslyV although the compression -v developlng vthe requisite' of the liquid from the blanket as it is pass- Y ing about said roller 18.

All of the dainpening or wetting liquid which is applied to the paper is expresse from an absorbent blanket, or blankets, thoroughly saturated with this liquid, thus ensuring uniformity in the distribution of the liquid throughout the paper. The application of a continuingpressure to the sheets While betwee the blankets 12 and 17 e11- sures rapidv a sorption by the paper of the liquid expressed from a blanket While the entire sheet is thus subjected to pressure, not only giving increased capacity to the machine,c but ensuring paper.' .D

The squeeze roller 33 is used 'becauseas the sheet. passes from between the blankets 12 and 17, thereis likelihood of the surface of the paper being fairly wet, since tlie time interval is not suiicient to complete the'absorption Vof all of the moistureappliedto the paper. The action of-said roller will be such as to either force this moisturecwithin the paper, or remove it therefrom. The roller also acts to remove` any excess moisture from the paper beyond that which may be required to properly condition it.

Adjustment of the squeeze roller with relation to the cylinder 11 may b e 'resorted to, to vary the `pressure exerted upon the sheet by this rollen, and thus more or less c'ontrol d retained in the sheet.

ing at fairly high/speeds, -the'difificulty encou'ntered is notthe removal of surplus liq- 'uid absorbed by the sheet, but' the problem to absorb sufficient of this of causing a sheet liquid to properly condition 1t.y The adjustment of Aheroller 19 is utilized for takingI up ,slack due to blanket 17 Y f In a--machine embodying my invention, the for properly' conditioning each sheet, even of higher grade p'apers,lwill sheet leaves the shelf 14 until it isdelivered tothe shelf 41, and every sheet will bein practically th same condition as every other sence ofl any rubbing of the paper, permits the wetting or' tiall'y uniform expansion of the paperof with a machine operat- The short time interval, and the aba rapid agingof the stretch of the or five, seconds from the time the dampening of each sheet unl der conditions which will ensure substanyyieldable blanket carried 'level of the every sheet, and will avoid any, injury to the surface finish thereof to a degree which would require refinishing of the. aper after the impressions have been ma e and thek sheet has been dried. v

I have referred herein to a wetting or. dampening liquid inA the tank 10, this term being used because, with a long continued run ofthe machine, if water alone were used in the tank, it wouldbecome olluted with some of the sizing used upon t e paper, and might become foul through the fermentation of this material. Ordinarily7 this liquid will consist of water containing in solution therewith, ingredients which will neutralize the substances which may enter the water from the paper sizing, these` ingredients, however,

having no'tendency to injure the surface finl ish of the paper. VThe character of this liquid, however, is immaterial to the invention, and `water alone may be used if care is taken to prevent its becoming so foulasto impart' an objectionable odor to the paper.

, It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the drawings, it being apparent thatsu'ch may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the intention, what I claim as new anddesire to have protected by Letters Patent, is 1. A paper ','wetting machine embodying l therein a tank for the wetting liquid, a cylinder rotatably mounted within said tank, a by said cylinder, an .endless absorbent'blanket adapted to cooperate with the 'blanket upon said cylinder" during a portion of each revolution of said cylinder, and guides for the operative reach of said endless blanket in pressure .relation to'sai-d cylinder and for the inoperative reach of said endless blanket positioned below the wetting liquid within said tank and away from said cylinder whereby the operative reach thereof is pressed Jtightly against the blanket upon said cylinder, and the inoperative. reach thereof'v is passed -through the liquid ingsaid4 tank, so that a sheet delivered between said blankets will part ot a revolution result of thepressure therein a tank for durin be' subjected to continuing pressure for a of said cylii'der,` and the moisture expressed from a blanket as a exerted by one of them upon the other, will be restored before the same lportion of the blanket is brought `into engaging relation with another sheet.

2. ,Afpa'per wetting machine emb dying ,l the ,wetting liquid, a cylinder rotatablyrmounted within said tank, a yieldableblanket carried by said cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to cooperate with thejblanket I y a portin of each revolution of said cylin er, guides forL the operative reach of said endless blanket in` pressurel felation to of y a revolution of press one reach ofL blankets.

LA paper wetting machine embodying therein a tank for the wetting liquid, a cyl# endless blanket n said cylinder and for the inoperative reach l subjected to continuing pressure for a parti said cyl1nder,'and the from a blanket as a-ie-` exerted by one of them be restored before the moisture expressed sult of the pressure upon the other, will same portion of the blanket is brought into engaging relation with another sheet, and a squeeze rollerin pressure engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, and` with a 'sheet of paper thereon 'after it has passed from between the blanket upon said cylinder and said endless blanket.

3. A paper wetting machine embodying therein a tank for the wetting liquid', a cylinder rotatably mounted within said tank, a yieldable blanket carried bysaid cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to cooperate with the blanket upony said `cylinder during a portion of each revolution of saidv cylinder, a guide roller whereby said endless Lblanket is brought into engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, said guide roller pressing saidl endless blanket toward said'cylinder, a guide roller adapted to direct said endless blanket away from said cylinder after it has passed about a .portion thereof, intermediate guide rollers 'positioned below the liquid level in th@ former of said tank, said guide rollers being so said endless blanket tightly against said last named blanket so that a-sheet delivered between said `blankets Lwill be subjected to continuous pressure for a part of a revolution said intermediate guide rollers will cause said blanket to be relieved from pressure,

- whereby moisture expressed from al blanket 'first named`roller, whereby eachV sheet -of paper is subjectec to excess moisture and an initial pressure,

inder rotatably mounted within said'tank, a yieldable blanket' carried by. "said cylinder, an' endless absorbent of each revolution of said cylinder, a guide, roller whereby said ation with the anket upon said cylinder,

of said cylinder, andportion of the blanket is brought y as it passes between said blanket adaptedfto co-v operate with the blanket upon said cylinupon said cylinder CYder during a portion i'lbrought into 'engaging r'espaced as tp i and an initial pressure, said blankets,

. sult of the pressure Ypart o said guide roller pressing said endless blanket toward said cylinder, aguide roller adapted to direct said endless b anket away from said cylinder after it has passed about a portion thereof, intermediate 'guide rollers positioned below the liquid level in the former of said tank, said guide rollers being so spaced 'as to`press one reach of said endless blanket tightly against said last lnamed blanket so that a. sheet delivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuous pressure for a part of a revolution o said cylinder, and said intermediate guide rollers will cause said. blanket to be relieved from pressure, whereby moisture expressed from a blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one of them uponthe other will he restored-before the same portion of the blan ket is brought into engaging relation with another sheet of paper, means positively driving said first named roller, whereby each sheet of paper is subjected to excess moisture as it passes between and a squeeze roller in pressure engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, and with a sheet of paper thereon after it has passed from between the blanket upon said cylinder and said endless blanket'.

5 .A paper wetting/'machine embodying therein a tank for the wetting liquid. a cylinder rotatably mounted within said tank, 'a yieldable blanket carried by said cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket. adapted to cooperate with'the blanket uponsaid cylinder during a portion of Ieach revolution of said cylinder, guides -for the operative reach of said endless blanket in pressure relation to said cylinder and forthe `inoperative reach of said endless blanket positioned below the level of the wetting liquid within said` tank. and away from said cylinder whereby the operative reach thereof is pressed ,tightly against the blanket upon said cylinder, and the inoperative reach' thereof is passe through the liquid in said tank, so that a sheet delivered between said blankts will be subiected. to continuing pressure for a a revolution ofsaid cylinder, and the moisture expressed from a blanket as va reexerted by one of them upon the other, will be restored before the same portionv of the blanket is brought into engaging relation with another sheet, a

squeeze roller, and adjustable bearing blocks for said squeeze roller whereby it may be brought into a desired pressure engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, and with a sheet ot paper thereon after it has passed from between the blanket upon said cylinder and said endless blanket.

6: A paper wetting machine embodyingr therein ay tanlfor the wetting liquid, a cylf inder rotatably mounted within said-tank,

said endless said first named roller, L.of paper 1s subJected to excess moist-ure and der, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to co-operate with theI blanket upon said cyl.- inder during a portion of each revolution of said cylinder, a guide roller whereby said endless blanket is brought into engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, adjustable bearings for said roller whereby it may be'caused to exert a desired pressure through cylinder, a

lanket away from said cylinder after it has passed about a portion there'- ot', intermediate guide rollers positioned be'- low the liquid level ih the former of said tank, said guide rollers being so spaced as to press one reach of said endless blanket tightly against said last nalned blanket so that a sheet delivered between said blankets will befsubjeeted to continuous pressure for a part of a revolution of'said cylinder', and said intermediate guide rollers will cause said blanket to be relieved from pressure, whereby moisture expressed from a blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one of them upon the other will be restored be- .a

Jfore the same portion of the blanket is brought into engaging relation with another sheet of'paper, and means positively driving an initial pressure, as it passes between said blankets.

7. A paper wetting machine embodying therein a tank for a yieldable blanket carried by said cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to cooperate with the blanket upon said cylinder during a portion of `,each revolution of said cylinder, aguide roller whereby said endless blanket is brought into engaging relaction with the blanket upon said cylinder, said guide roller pressing said endless blanket toward said said last named guide rollenwhereby said roller maybe set to .take up slack 1u saidy and regulate the pressure endless blanket,

toward said. cylinder blanexeited thereby Aket, intermediate guide rollers .positioned 'below the vliquid level in said tank, said first named guide rollers .being so spaced as to press one reach ot said endless blanket tightly against said last named blanket so that a sheet delivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuous pressure for a part of a revolution of saidacylinder, and said intermediate guide 'rollers .will cause said blanket to be relieved from pressure,

whereby moisture expressed romya blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one whereby each sheet the wetting liquid, a cylinder rotatablv mounted within said tank, :e:

Said endless blanket toward Asaid uide roller adapted to direct 01E them upon the other will be restored a yieldable blanket carried byv saidl cylin-*^beore the same portion of the blanket is sheet of paper, and means lsaid first named roller, l `of paper'is subjected to excess' molsture and an inltial pressure, as it passesbetweemsaid blankets. z

8. YA paper wetting` machine embodylng j therein af tankjfor. thewetting liquid, a

cylinder rotatably mounted within said tank,

a yieldable blanket rcarried by said cylinder,

an endless absorbent' blanket adapted to cooperate with the blanket upon said cylinder during a portion of each revolution of said cylinder, a guide roller whereby said endless blanket is brought intoengaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, adjustable bearings for said roller whereby it may be caused to exert a desired pressure through said endless blanket toward said cylinder, a

guide roller. adapted to direct said endless blanket away from said cylinder after 1t has passed about a portion thereof, adjustable bearings for said /last named guide" c roller whereby` said roller may be set to take f into engaging relation with yanother sheet of\ positively dr1ving said first named roller,

up 'slack in said endless blanket, and regulate the pressure exerted thereby toward said cylinder blanket, ,intermediate guide rollers positioned below the liquid levelin said tank, snaid first named guide rollers being so spaced as to pressnne reach of said endless blanket tightly, against saidv last named blanket so that a sheet" delivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuous pressure for a 'part of a revolution of said cylinder, and said intermediate guide rollers, will cause said blanket to be relieved from pressure, whereby Lmoisture expressed from a blanket as a result of the pressurev exerted rby one of them upon the other will be restored before the same portion of the blanket is brought paper, wand means whereby lsa'id sheet of paper is'subject'ed to excess moisture andV an initial pressure, as it passes `between said blankets.

9. A paper wetting machineembodying therein a tank for the wetting liquid, a cylinder rotatably mounted within said tank, a. yieldable blanket carried by said cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to cooperate with the blanket upon said cylinder during a portion`of each revolution of said cylinder, a guide roller whereby said endless blanket is brought into engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, adjustable bearings for said roller whereby it-Inayv beycaused to lexert a desired pressurethrough said endless blanke'ttowa-rd said cylinder, a guide roller adapted to blanket .away from' said cylinder after it has passed about a portion thereof, -adjustable bearings for ysaid last named guide ro er whereby said roller may be set to take u slack insaid endless blanket, and regudirectV said 'endlessblanket tightly against said last named blanket so that a sheet delivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuouspresv Sure for a part of a revolution ofl said cylinder,`and saidintermediate guide rollers will cause said blanket to berelieved from pressure', lblanket as a result -of the pressure exerted by one of them upon the other will be restored before the same portionof the blanket is brought into engaging relation with another 'sheet of paper, means ing said first named roller, whereby said sheet of paper is subjected to excess moisture andan initial pressure, as it passes between said blankets, a squeeze roller, and adjustable bearingilblock `for said squeeze roller whereby it may be brought into a. desired pressure relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, `and with a sheet of paper thereon after it hasfpassed from between the blanket whereby moisture expressed from a.

positively drivl upon said cylinder and said endless blanket. 10. A paper wetting mchineembodying of engaging` relation with said cylinder loa the wetting liquid within said 'tank and out whereby the operative reach thereof is I fpressed'tightly cylinder, and the inoperative reach thereof is passed through the liquid insaid tank, so *that a sheet delivered between said blankets against the blanket upon saidwill be subjected to continuing lpressure for a part of a revolution of said cylinder, and the moisture expressed: from a blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one ofthem upon the other, will be restoredy before the same portion-of the blanket is engaging relation withq another sheet` a feed shelf, a feeding mechanism'adapted to receive sheets fromjsfa'id shelf and'deliverthem to the grippers upon said cylinder, a collecting shelf spaced away-from said cylinder, and a delivery mechanism adapted to receive `sheets from said cylinder and pile them upon said collecting shelf, whereby said sheets, be- :tore being so piled, will be exposed for a 'shortinterval to the air.

11. A paper wettingmachine embodying and means rotating said squeeze roller,

therein a tank for the wetting liquid, a cylinder rotatably mounted within-saidtank, a yieldable blanket different portions -of said `blanket being spaced apart. gripper mechanisms carried by said cylinder in said spaces, an endless absorbeiit blanket adapted to co-operate with of engaging relation with said cylinder whereby the operative reach thereof is pressed tightly against the blanket upon said cylinder, and the inoperative reach thereof is passed through the liquid in said tank, so that a sheet delivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuing pressure for a partof a revolution of said cylinder, and the moisture expressed from a blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one of them upon the other. will be restored before the same portion of the blanket is brought into engaging relation with another sheet, a feed shelf, a feeding mechanism adapted to receive sheets to the gripper-s upon said cylinder, a collecting shelf spaced away from said cylinder. a

delivery mechanism adapted to receive sheets from said cylinder and pile them upon said collecting shelf, whereby,- said sheets, before being so piled, will be exposed for a short interval to the air, a squeeze roller in pressure engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder, andwith a sheet 'of paper thereoi sai squeeze roller being positioned between the point of disengagement of said endless blanket with the blanket upon said cylinder and said delivery mechanism.

12. AA paper wetting machine. embodying therein a tank for the wetting liquid, a cylinder rotatably mounted within said tank, a

vieldable blanket carried by said cylinder,

v.different portions of said blanket being said cylinder,

spaced apart, gripper mechanisms carried by said cylinder in the spaced portions of said blanket. a feed shelf, a feeding mechanism adapted to receive sheets from said shelf and deliver them to the grippers upon said cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to cfu-operate with the blanket upon said cylinder during a portion of each revolution of said cylinder. a guide roller whereby said endless blanket is brought intoA engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder adjacent saidfeeding mechanism, said guide roller pressing said endless blanket toward a guide roller adapted to direct said endless blanket away from said cylinder after it has passed about aV portion thereof, intermediate guide rollers positioned carried by said cylinder,

from said shelf and deliver them4 below the liquid level -in said tank and out of engaging relation with said cylinder, said guide rollers .being so spaced as to press one reach' of said endless blanket tightly against said last named blanket so that a sheetdelivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuous pressure for ay part of a revolution of said cylinder, and moisture expressed from a blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one of them upon the other will be restored before the same portion of the blanket is brought into engaging relation with another sheet of paper, means positively driving said first named roller, lwhereby each sheet of paper is subjected to excess moisture and an initial pressure, as it passes between said blankets, a collecting shelf yspaced away from said cylinder, and a delivery mechanism adapted to receive sheets from said cylinder and pile them upon said collecting shelf, whereby said sheets; before being so piled, will be exposed for a short interval to the air.

13. A paper wetting machine embodying therein a-tank for thewetting liquid, acylinder rotatably mounted within said tank, a yieldable blanket carried by said cylinder,

different portions of said blanket being spaced apart, gripper mechanisms carried by said cylinder in the spaced portions of said blanket. a feed shelf, a feeding mechanism adapted to receive sheets from said shelf and deliver them to the grippers -upon said cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to co-operate v'ith the blanket upon said cylinder during a portion of each revolution` of said cylinder'. a guide roller whereby said wendless blanket is brought into engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder adjacent said feeding mechanism, adjustable bearings for said roller whereby it may be caused to exert a said endless blanket toward said cylinder, a guide roller adapted blanket away from said cylinder after it has passed about a portion thereof, adjustable bearings'for said last named guide roller whereby said roller may be set to take up slack/in said endless blanket, and regulate the pressure .exerted thereby toward said cylinder blanket,V intermediate guide .rollers positionedy below the liquid level in said tank, the former of said blanket tightly against said lastnamed blanket so that a sheet delivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuous pressure for a part of" a revolution of said' desired pressure throughl guide rollers being so' spaced as to press one reach of said endless to direct said endless relation with another sheet of paper, vmeans I positively driving said first named roller, whereby'said sheet ofv paperis subjected to excessmoisture and an initial pressure, as it passes between said blankets, a squeeze roller, adjustable bearing blocks for said squeeze roller swhereby it may be brought into a desired pressure relation with the blanket upon 'said cylinder, and with a sheet of paper thereon after it has passed from between the blanket upon said cylinder and Said endless blanket, a collecting shelf spaced away from said,` cylinder, and a delivery mechanism-ada "ted to receive sheets from said cylinder and pile them upon said co1- lecting shelf, whereby said sheets, before being so pile'd, will be exposed for a short interval to the air.

14. A paper wetting machine embodying therein a', tank for the wetting liquid, a cyl inder rotatably mounted within said ta'nk,'a plurality of yielda'ble absorbent -blankets superimposed one upon the other upon said cylinder, an endless absorbent blanket adapted lto co-operate with the blankets upon said cylinder during a portion of each revolution of said cylinder, and guides for the o erative reach of said endless blanket and in/pressure relation to said cylinder, and for the inoperative reach of said endless blanket and out of engaging relation with said cylinder whereby the operative reach thereof is pressed tightly against the blankets upon said cylinder, and the inoperative reach thereof is 1passed through the liquid in said tank, so that a sheet delivered between said. blankets will be subjected to confirming' pressure for a part of a revolution ot said cylinder,and

the moisture expressed from the blankets as a result ,of the pressure exerted by one of them upon the other, will be restored before the same portions of the blankets are brought into engaging relation with another sheet.

15. A,\paper wetting machine embodying therein artank for the wetting liquid, a cylinder rotatably mounted withii said tank, a driving gearearried by said cylinder, means continuously rotating said gear, ajyieldable blanket carried b said cylinder, different portions of said b anketbeing spaced apart,

gripper mechanisms carried b said cylinder in said spaces, a feed shelf, a ceding mechanism adapted to receive sheets from said shelf and deliver them to the grippers upon said cylinder, gears in'mesh with said driving gear and actuating said feeding mechanism, an endless absorbent blanket adapted to co-operate with the blanket upon. said cylinder during a portion of each revolution of said cylinder, a guide roller whereby said endless blanket is brought into engaging relation with the blanket u on said cylinder adjacent saidv feeding mechanism, gears in mesh with sai-d driving gear and operative upon said guide roller, a guide roller adapted to direct said endless blanket away from said l cylinder after it has passed about a portion thereof, intermediate guide rollers positioned below ,the liquid level in said tank out vof engaging relation with said cylinder, the

fformer of said guide rollers being so spaced asto press one reach'of said endless blanket tightly against' said last named -blanket so that a sheet delivered between said blankets will be subjected to continuous pressure for a part of a revolution of said cylinder, and

moisture expressed from a blanket as a result of the pressure exerted by one of them upon the other will berestored before the same portion of the blanket is brought into i engaging relation with another sheet of paper, a collecting shelf spaced away from said cylinder, a delivery mechanism adapted to receive sheets from said cylinder and pile them upon said collectinf` shelf, whereby said Isheets, before being so piled, will be exposed for a short interval to the air, gears connecting said driving gear and said ldellvery mechanism, (a squeeze roller 1n pressure engaging relation with the blanket upon said cylinder and with a sheetof paper thereon, said roller beingpositioned between the point Aof disengagement of said endless blanket with the blanket upon said cylinder and said delivery mechanism, and gears meshing with said driving gear and rotating said squeeze roller. L. In witness whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature, this 8th day of April 1924.

f PETER A ITCHISON. 

